Future riots could be avoided as Australia takes steps towards national youth detention oversight
5 years, 10 months ago

Future riots could be avoided as Australia takes steps towards national youth detention oversight

ABC  

Violent rioting at a Northern Territory youth detention centre that eventually saw detainees tear-gassed could have been avoided, the National Children's Commissioner believes. Key points: Formal monitoring of NT youth detention centres began last week Steps are being taken nationwide to ensure compliance with an anti-torture treaty This could prevent riots such as one that occurred at Darwin's Don Dale Youth Detention Centre in November, one expert says But while the incident was disturbing, it was far from isolated — both in the Territory and nationwide. However, the Territory Government has failed to guarantee the NT Children's Commissioner Colleen Gwynne "free and unfettered access" to its youth detention centres through legislation, despite it being recommended by the royal commission in 2017. "We've been seeing plenty of evidence across places of detention in Australia … that there isn't that oversight in the way that there needs to be to protect really vulnerable people," said Professor Naylor.

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History of this topic

Australia: Why children as young as 10 face life sentences in Queensland
1 month ago

Australia: Why children as young as 10 face life sentences in Queensland

Firstpost  

Queensland’s controversial new laws allow children as young as 10 to face the same sentences as adults for serious crimes. Representational Image/iStock Queensland’s controversial new laws, branded “Adult Crime, Adult Time,” have turned heads across Australia and internationally. Maggie Munn, First Nations Justice Director at the Human Rights Law Centre, stated, “Times like this make me wonder how the Premier …

Queensland parliamentary committee gives green light to LNP's 'adult crime, adult time' youth justice policy
1 month, 1 week ago

Queensland parliamentary committee gives green light to LNP's 'adult crime, adult time' youth justice policy

ABC  

A Queensland parliamentary committee has given the green light to the state government's contentious youth justice law changes, which include the LNP's centrepiece "adult crime, adult time" policy. In another submission, Australian Workers' Union — which represents workers in detention centres — said the proposed changes would lead to an "influx of youth offenders entering a youth detention system that …

As the WA government plugs improvements to its youth justice system, a child in custody is dead. Why?
4 months, 2 weeks ago

As the WA government plugs improvements to its youth justice system, a child in custody is dead. Why?

ABC  

If ever there was a time to recognise youth detention is a symptom of much deeper problems in our society, it's now. Premier Roger Cook, his Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia and his Commissioner Brad Royce lined up to share the expected comments – the "great sadness and regret", the "deepest and most sincere condolences". Cleveland Dodd warning signs ignored …

The youth curfew in Alice Spring has ended. What did we learn? Will it happen again?
9 months ago

The youth curfew in Alice Spring has ended. What did we learn? Will it happen again?

ABC  

After almost three weeks, the Alice Springs youth curfew is over. Others said the curfew was "unfair" to young people, with some concerned it could further criminalise children and teenagers. Residents and frontline organisations consistently argued it was a "bandaid solution", calling for Calls for longer-term solutions in Alice Springs after curfew to be prioritised. Several young people told the …

Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says Alice Springs curfew is working but is not the answer to youth crime
9 months, 1 week ago

Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says Alice Springs curfew is working but is not the answer to youth crime

ABC  

In short: Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says curfews are only a short-term solution to youth crime problems in the NT Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says curfews are only a short-term solution to youth crime problems in the NT Extending the current youth curfew in Alice Springs is being considered What's next? Youth curfews could be implemented in other towns in the NT, …

Youth prisons ‘more violent than adult male jails’ as number of assaults soar
1 year, 1 month ago

Youth prisons ‘more violent than adult male jails’ as number of assaults soar

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Youth detention centres have seen a 30 per cent increase in assaults in the …

Queensland youth crime victims criticise new government committee
1 year, 4 months ago

Queensland youth crime victims criticise new government committee

ABC  

Two high-profile victims of youth crime have criticised the Queensland government's parliamentary committee examining the issue. Key points: Youth justice reform advocates say government committees are places where ideas "die" They say they need the government to hear them rather than just listen Committee chair Sandy Bolton hopes her appointment takes the politics out of the debate Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk …

The Palaszczuk government has become engulfed in a political storm of its own making
1 year, 4 months ago

The Palaszczuk government has become engulfed in a political storm of its own making

ABC  

How did we get here? The government was warned by the Australian Workers' Union of Employees Queensland that the youth detention system was "already struggling" when it introduced even stricter youth bail laws earlier this year after the death of Brisbane Mother Emma Lovell, who was killed in an alleged home invasion. Among them, Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall, …

Queensland youth detention centre staff report 'daily' assaults, serious injuries
1 year, 6 months ago

Queensland youth detention centre staff report 'daily' assaults, serious injuries

ABC  

Queensland youth detention centre officers have reported "daily" vicious attacks and serious injuries including broken bones and acquired brain injuries. Key points: Staff have reported being punched, suffering broken bones and attacks with improvised weapons Detention centres were briefly in "night mode" This confines the detainees to their rooms, allowing them out on a "rotational basis" Staff walked off the …

Queensland youth justice minister says evidence provided to court by her department about 13yo boy's detention was not 'fulsome'
1 year, 10 months ago

Queensland youth justice minister says evidence provided to court by her department about 13yo boy's detention was not 'fulsome'

ABC  

Queensland's youth justice department will conduct an urgent review into how long a 13-year-old boy was held in solitary confinement at a Townsville youth detention centre. Key points: The youth justice department presented a one-page spreadsheet to the court on the time the child spent in detention The document showed the child spent 45 days in his cell, including one …

Queensland government may have broken own laws by locking 13yo in detention cell for up to 24 hours a day
1 year, 10 months ago

Queensland government may have broken own laws by locking 13yo in detention cell for up to 24 hours a day

ABC  

The Queensland government may have broken its own laws by locking up two 13-year-old boys in their cells for up to 24 hours a day at the troubled Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville. Key points: Between February 1 and February 23 this year, the 13yo boy did not leave his cell for 22 days The Queensland Human Rights Commissioner …

Youth justice overhaul 'directly at odds' with Path to Treaty and Closing the Gap, Queensland government warned
1 year, 10 months ago

Youth justice overhaul 'directly at odds' with Path to Treaty and Closing the Gap, Queensland government warned

ABC  

Queensland's proposed youth justice overhaul is "racially prejudicial", at odds with Path to Treaty and Closing the Gap commitments, and could be met with "extreme resistance" from detention workers, the government has been warned. In one submission, the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak accused the government of a lack of consultation with First Nations leaders, saying …

Queensland parents hiring private investigators to track down wayward teens as state grapples with youth crime 'crisis'
1 year, 11 months ago

Queensland parents hiring private investigators to track down wayward teens as state grapples with youth crime 'crisis'

ABC  

Desperate parents are turning to private investigators to stop their kids from becoming young offenders as criminal lawyers warn Queensland is facing a youth crime "crisis". Key points: Investigators say they are increasingly tracking down runaway teenagers Lawyers say juvenile criminals almost always come from "significant disadvantage" "significant disadvantage" Queensland has the largest number of children in custody The increasing …

Teen inmates at Banksia Hill Detention Centre climb fences and threaten staff as building burns to the ground
2 years ago

Teen inmates at Banksia Hill Detention Centre climb fences and threaten staff as building burns to the ground

ABC  

Teenage inmates at Perth's Banksia Hill youth detention centre have rioted and a building has been burnt to the ground on New Year's Eve. Key points: The Department of Justice says firefighters visited Banksia Hill Detention Centre under police escort It says there is no threat to the broader community There have been concerns over staffing levels at the facility …

Dangerous 'folding up' restraint to be banned in West Australian youth detention this month
2 years, 1 month ago

Dangerous 'folding up' restraint to be banned in West Australian youth detention this month

ABC  

The potentially-deadly "folding up" practice used on children by youth detention officers in Western Australia will be banned within weeks and replaced with an alternative method. Both the premier and Mr Johnston admitted to being previously "unaware" of the restraint's use in Western Australia, despite it being outlawed in Queensland five years earlier due to the risk of suffocation and …

The hidden report that spells out the dismal failures of youth detention policy in Australia
2 years, 2 months ago

The hidden report that spells out the dismal failures of youth detention policy in Australia

ABC  

It's a report that politicians don't want you to see. Four Corners, as part of an investigation into ongoing abuses within youth detention, has obtained a report of the Council of Attorneys-General review examining the age of criminal responsibility. "The Commonwealth, State and Territory governments should raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 years of age, without exception," …

If locking up children in youth detention only makes them repeat offenders, is there a better way?
2 years, 2 months ago

If locking up children in youth detention only makes them repeat offenders, is there a better way?

ABC  

Queensland authorities have known for years that placing children in youth detention is the worst of all possible outcomes — it’s state government policy to keep kids out of custody. Which is why the Premier’s declaration last month that the government is “looking at expanding youth justice detention” and flagging a new youth detention centre in Cairns caught child safety …

Queensland's youth justice system 'in crisis' amid human rights breaches, children's commissioner warns
2 years, 2 months ago

Queensland's youth justice system 'in crisis' amid human rights breaches, children's commissioner warns

ABC  

Queensland is systematically breaching human rights by locking up more children in police watch houses, Australia's National Children's Commissioner says. Key points: Cairns is one of several sites being considered for a fourth youth detention centre to be built Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds says Australia's youth justice system is "in a state of crisis" There are about 291 young people …

Nine ministers had oversight of the Ashley Youth Detention Centre, but all of them were absent from the abuse inquiry
2 years, 3 months ago

Nine ministers had oversight of the Ashley Youth Detention Centre, but all of them were absent from the abuse inquiry

ABC  

Australians have heard shocking and harrowing evidence over recent weeks about young people being mistreated while incarcerated at Tasmania's only juvenile detention centre. Photo shows A graphic showing a medical worker with blackened face looking at a folder in front of a sign reading: LGH Emergency After horrific tales of invasive strip searches, beatings and gang rapes, Tasmania's Commission of …

Tasmania set to be first jurisdiction to raise minimum age of children in youth detention
2 years, 7 months ago

Tasmania set to be first jurisdiction to raise minimum age of children in youth detention

ABC  

At about 11 years old, Alexander* found himself in Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre. Key points: Advocates hope raising the age of detention is also a step towards raising the age of criminal responsibility The change will come into force in 2024 A former youth detainee has called for more diversionary programs to help keep young people out of the …

Documents reveal violence, self-harm and chaos inside Melbourne's Parkville Youth Justice Precinct
2 years, 10 months ago

Documents reveal violence, self-harm and chaos inside Melbourne's Parkville Youth Justice Precinct

ABC  

Victoria's youngest prisoners inside the Parkville Youth Justice Precinct are being regularly assaulted, hospitalised, and have tried to escape custody, according to documents obtained by the ABC. Key points: Hundreds of pages of WorkSafe documents paint a grim picture of life inside the justice facility for inmates and staff Trouble finding staff — which the ABC has been told is …

As Ashley Youth Detention Centre closes, Tasmania looking at new programs for at-risk youth
3 years, 2 months ago

As Ashley Youth Detention Centre closes, Tasmania looking at new programs for at-risk youth

ABC  

At a rural property in south-east Tasmania, boys have been put through their paces in what's believed to be an Australian first. Key points: Tasmania will shut the Ashley Youth Detention Centre over the next three years and replace it with a therapeutic model of care JCP Youth director Will Smith says he has had success with a camp for …

Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania's north to close down and be replaced by two new facilities
3 years, 4 months ago

Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania's north to close down and be replaced by two new facilities

ABC  

Tasmania's troubled youth detention centre will be closed and replaced with a therapeutic model of care, in a significant change of direction announced by the state government. Key points: Two separate facilities across the state will replace the Ashley Youth Detention Centre over the next three years The centre has been the subject of sexual abuse claims and is the …

The youth justice system is failing children the UK promised to protect
4 years, 1 month ago

The youth justice system is failing children the UK promised to protect

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Over the …

Staffer accused of Ashley Youth Detention Centre abuse promoted
4 years, 1 month ago

Staffer accused of Ashley Youth Detention Centre abuse promoted

ABC  

An employee of Tasmania's only youth detention centre was promoted after allegations of serious misconduct were made against them, the ABC can reveal. Key points: Greens leader Cassy O'Connor told Parliament she's had numerous complaints from the public disputing Government claims Ashley is safe for children She wants confirmation whether a staff member stood down after rape allegations had recently …

NT Government defends new youth detention centre site near adult prison
5 years, 5 months ago

NT Government defends new youth detention centre site near adult prison

ABC  

The Northern Territory Government has conceded a site next to Darwin's adult prison is not the best option for its new youth detention centre, but Minister Dale Wakefield says the Government "will not apologise" for listening to community uproar. Key points: The new youth detention centre will be built 300 metres from Darwin's adult prison Territory Families Minister Dale Wakefield …

Children forced into adult watch houses as youth detention gets upgrades
5 years, 6 months ago

Children forced into adult watch houses as youth detention gets upgrades

ABC  

Children as young as 10 have been kept in adult maximum-security watch houses in Queensland and now we know one of the main reasons why. Key points: Last month, Four Corners revealed that children were being kept in adult watch house facilities for days or weeks on end Multiple documents uncovered by Right to Information laws show public officials raising …

NT youth detention lawsuit alleges new raft of human rights abuses inside centres
6 years, 4 months ago

NT youth detention lawsuit alleges new raft of human rights abuses inside centres

ABC  

Youth detainees in the Northern Territory are being denied access to fresh air, sunlight and exercise as well as appropriate education, two detainees have alleged in a lawsuit exclusively obtained by the ABC. Key points: Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission files lawsuit on behalf of two youth detainees, alleging human rights abuses Detainees denied sunlight and access to regular exercise, …

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